Location: 4345
Date: 11/8/2009
Rank: Chief Warrant Officer
Branch: U.S. Army
Operation: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Matt was born Feb. 3, 1980, in Portland, Oregon and was taken from us on Nov. 8, 2009, while serving in Iraq from a helicopter accident. After completing school, Matt joined the Army to better his life for his family. He completed his basic training in Fort Benning, Ga. He then went to Fort Eustis, Va., to train to be a UH – 60 Helicopter Mechanic. He was then assigned to his first duty station in Savannah, Ga., and so very honored to be accepted into the Nightstalker family, 3/160th SOAR. He left Savannah in July 2005 to attend WOBC in Fort Rucker, Ala., to start flight school. He finished at the top of his class and loved the mission of the Kiowa and so he chose to fly the OH-58D. For the next year and a half, he went through flight school while living in Enterprise, Ala. After graduating from flight school, orders came down to be stationed in Hawaii.
Matt was a fun-loving man who brightened everyone’s day, just by the smile on his face. He loved to play the guitar with close friends and also knew how to rock out with Rock Band. He also loved his family time, whether it be going to the beach, zoo with his girls, going on a bike ride, playing games in the house, going to dinner and a movie or just being outdoors hiking. He had an adventurous side that made him love fast cars, motorcycles, and just recently this year learned he had a passion for skydiving. Matt could go anywhere and lighten up the room by his great sense of humor and his quirky smile that he always had. Matt had always strived to be at his best and when it wasn’t enough, he tried harder. He would lend a helping hand to anyone that would ask and always brought out the best in everyone.